Abstract: Background: Maternal death represents a devastating medical complication in all societies, because most deaths are preventable if the complication are diagnosed and managed effectively and in time. Registration of maternal mortality is incomplete in many parts of the world. The study aimed to assess process of registering maternal deaths in Iraq and identifying the main causes of death.
Methodology: A cross Sectional study was performed at Ministry of Health, in which all maternal death records were reviewed. Data concerning demographic characteristics, obstetrical history, and registration process was collected and analyzed using SPSS program.
Results: A total of 942 maternal deaths were reviewed, the highest (360 deaths) (Maternal Mortality Ratio 28/100000 live births), registration form was not available in 20.8%. Postpartum hemorrhage was the commonest cause of death (35.1), followed by pulmonary embolism (26.1) and hypertension (15.5). Notification was done in (311; 33.01%) and maternal mortality committee meeting was conducted in 258 (27.4%) of cases.
Conclusion: Registering maternal mortality improved noticeably, yet missing data still facing analysis. Postpartum hemorrhage, pulmonary embolism and hypertension were the leading causes of death. Improving family planning services, natal, postnatal and training of midwives and TBAs are important to decrease maternal deaths.